Flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof

ABSTRACT

A flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other apparel. The bag includes a bag body, a flexible internal pouch, and a relatively firm and bendable external pouch. The flexible internal pouch is attached internally to the bag body. The relatively firm and bendable external pouch is attached externally to the bag body. The bag body is either foldably and compressibly stored in the flexible internal pouch to form the first appearance or is foldably, compressibly, and rollably stored under the relatively firm and bendable external pouch to form the second appearance so as to allow for the better coordination with the other apparel.

1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a bag, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other apparel.

B. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous innovations for bags have been provided in the prior art, which will be described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other apparel.

(1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,874 to Berenguer.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,874 issued to Berenguer on Oct. 3, 1978 in U.S. class 150 and subclass 1.7 teaches a bag, e.g., a shopping bag, that is made of foldable material, is provided with a case smaller than the bag and secured to the bag adjacent the mouth thereof. The case has two compartments, one of which serves for storage of the bag when appropriately folded and the other of which can be used as a purse. The bag can thus be conveniently packed away in the case when not in use.

(2) U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,516 to Geeck.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,516 issued to Geeck on Apr. 23, 1991 in U.S. class 383 and subclass 37 teaches a shopping container device including a first storage bag-size collapsible bag having an open top and a closed bottom, a flexible and non-stretchable handle attached about the open top for carrying the bag when full, a second smaller collapsible bag having a closed bottom and an openable top with the top biased normally closed, and a flexible tape joining the open top of the first bag to the inside of the second bag a short distance below its biased-closed top. The bottom of the second bag folded flat forms a short flap. The flap is folded about one portion of a small ring and attached to itself to form a ring-holding closed loop, and a normally closed openable snap anchored to the ring for attachment to the user's vehicle ignition keys. The smaller second bag is of an overall size sufficient to completely contain the first bag collapsed therein and of a length sufficient to contain the ignition keys when the first bag is removed therefrom.

(3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,612 to Shoemaker.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,612 issued to Shoemaker on Oct. 6, 1992 in U.S. class 383 and subclass 6 teaches a combination of a collapsible article made of flexible material with an attached storage pouch, in which the pouch is integrally attached to the article. The article may be a collapsible bag or an article of clothing or the like. The storage pouch has a support wall and a panel attached on three sides to the support wall, which together form a pocket-like opening. A locking flap is attached on one side to the panel and at two opposite ends to the panel and to the support wall. When the pouch is in an empty position, the locking flap is inside the pouch secured between the panel and the support wall. When the pouch is turned inside out, the article may be collapsed and inserted into the pouch and the locking flap may be reversed to cover the opening of the pouch and secure the article therein.

(4) French Patent Application Publication Number WO2007085759A2 to Dangauthier et al.

French Patent Application Publication Number WO2007085759A2 published to Dangauthier et al. on Feb. 8, 2007 in International class A45C3/04 teaches a flexible material bag associated with a storage element, and which is particularly useful as a reusable bag. The storage element is a unitary hollow body at least partly deformable and made, in particular, of plastic. The unitary hollow body has a cutout delimiting an opening for inserting the bag in the storage element or removing the bag from the storage element. Thus, the bag may be inserted inside the storage element through the insertion opening delimited by the cutout in the unitary hollow body. Similarly, the bag may be removed by gradual withdrawal of the flexible material bag through the opening.

(5) Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201182284 (Y) to Guoxiong et al.

Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201182284 (Y) published to Guoxiong et al. on Jan. 21, 2009 in International class A45C3/04 teaches a collapsible, environment-friendly, and portable shopping bag that includes a bag body, and carrying or lifting straps that are firmly connected with the bag body. The bag body includes a front piece and a rear piece that are symmetrical with each other. The left and right sides and the bottom of the front piece and the rear piece are butted with each other to form a closed bottom of the bag body and an opening top of the bag body. Two carrying or lifting straps are arranged at the front and back and adapted to be a shape of an inverted-U, either end of which is symmetrically and firmly connected with the inner side of the top edge of the bag body. The front piece or the rear piece of the bag body is equipped with a vice bag that is opened at the top and is connected with the front piece or the rear piece. The vice bag is equipped with a bag body collapsing mechanism that can achieve the overall collapsing of the bag body together with the carrying or lifting straps, and then the half folding of the upper and lower parts along the vice bag. The collapsing mechanism can be a sliding zipper that is disposed around the external edge of the vice bag, and also can be at least one snap fastener that is disposed on the vice bag.

(6) Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201216252 (Y) to Bo.

Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201216252 (Y) published to Bo on Apr. 8, 2009 in International class A45C3/04 teaches a portable multipurpose handbag including a handle and a handbag body. The handbag body is connected with a collection bag, and a zipper is arranged at the periphery of the opening of the collection bag. The handbag is contained in the collection bag when the zipper is pulled up. The collection bag includes two identical bag pieces. A cut is formed on one bag piece, and a zipper is arranged on the sides of the cut so that a wallet is formed when the zipper is pulled up. When not used, the handbag is collected in the collection bag so that the handbag is carryable. At the same time, an interlayer arranged on the collection bag can be used as the wallet, and keys and a mobile phone can be placed therein so that the collection bag can be carried by hands and serve as a decoration. When used, the collection bag can be changed into the handbag when the zipper of the collection bag is pulled down.

(7) Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201226905 (Y) to Zhiwei.

Chinese Patent Application Publication Number CN 201226905 (Y) published to Zhiwei on Apr. 29, 2009 in International class A45C3/04 teaches a wallet-type shopping bag including a soft shopping bag and a collecting wallet. The shopping bag mainly includes a bag body and two weight-loading belts. The collecting wallet mainly includes a first clamping surface, a second clamping surface, and a sealing structure. The first clamping surface and the second clamping surface are connected at the margin part of one side of the circumference. A clamping body is formed through folding the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface, and the sealing structure is arranged at the sealing part of the bag body. When the shopping bag is opened, inner side surfaces of the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface are fixedly connected with the upper part of the inner lateral wall or the outer lateral wall of the bag body. When the shopping bag is folded up, the shopping bag is collected in a collecting wallet space that is formed by the first clamping surface, the second clamping surface, and the sealing structure. A wallet is arranged at the outer lateral surface of the first clamping surface and/or the outer lateral surface of the second clamping surface, and a first zipper is arranged at the opening part of the wallet. The soft shopping bag is collected in the collecting wallet so as to form a coating structure after the shopping bag is folded up.

It is apparent that numerous innovations for bags have been provided in the prior art, which are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, a flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other apparel.

2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other apparel, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

Briefly stated, another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other apparel. The bag includes a bag body, a flexible internal pouch, and a relatively firm and bendable external pouch. The flexible internal pouch is attached internally to the bag body. The relatively firm and bendable external pouch is attached externally to the bag body. The bag body is either foldably and compressibly stored in the flexible internal pouch to form the first appearance or is foldably, compressibly, and rollably stored under the relatively firm and bendable external pouch to form the second appearance so as to allow for the better coordination with the other apparel.

The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and their method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

3. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the flexibly collapsible bag of the embodiments of the present invention for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other apparel;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the flexible internal pouch being turned inside-out;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the bag being stuffed into the reversed flexible internal pouch;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the bag being completely stuffed into the reversed flexible internal pouch;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the reversed flexible internal pouch fastened closed with the bag therein;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the strap released and the bottom wall of the bag and the handles folded onto the rear wall of the bag;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the side walls of the bag folded onto the rear wall of the bag;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the top portion folded so as to lie under the relatively firm and bendable external pouch; and

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the rolled bag with the strap re-engaged.

4. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING A. General

-   10 flexibly collapsible bag of embodiments of present invention for     being self-stored in itself in two different places 12, 14 thereof     so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better     coordination with other apparel -   12 first different place of two different places 12, 14 of flexibly     collapsible bag 10 -   14 second different place of two different places 12, 14 of flexibly     collapsible bag 10

B. Overall Configuration of Flexibly Collapsible Bag 10

-   16 bag body -   18 flexible internal pouch -   20 relatively firm and bendable external pouch -   22 front wall of bag body 16 -   24 rear wall of bag body 16 -   26 pair of side walls of bag body 16 -   28 closed bottom of bag body 16 -   30 open top of bag body 16 -   32 pair of flexible handles

C. Specific Configuration of Relatively Firm and Bendable External Pouch 20

-   34 relatively firm and bendable panel of relatively firm and     bendable external pouch -   36 first side of three sides 36, 38, and 40 of relatively firm and     bendable panel 34 of relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 -   38 second side of three sides 36, 38, and 40 of relatively firm and     bendable panel 34 of relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 -   40 third side of three sides 36, 38, and 40 of relatively firm and     bendable panel 34 of relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 -   42 open top of relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 -   43 strap of relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20

D. Specific Configuration of Flexible Internal Pouch 18

-   44 flexible front-facing panel of flexible internal pouch 18 -   46 flexible rear-facing panel of flexible internal pouch 18 -   48 first side of two sides 48 and 50 of flexible internal pouch 18 -   50 second side of two sides 48 and 50 of flexible internal pouch 18 -   52 open top of flexible internal pouch 18 -   54 one portion of pair of mating hook and loop fastener portions 54     and 56 of flexible internal pouch 18 -   56 other portion of pair of mating hook and loop fastener portions     54 and 56 of flexible internal pouch 18

E. Method of Utilizing Flexible Internal Pouch 18 to Store Bag Body 16

-   58 one hand of hands 58, 60 of user 62 -   60 other hand of hands 58, 60 of user 62 -   62 user

F. Method of Utilizing Relatively Firm and Bendable External Pouch 20 to Store Bag Body 16

-   64 lower portion -   66 upper portion

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A. General

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view of the flexibly collapsible bag of the embodiments of the present invention for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other apparel, and an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 2-2 in FIG. 1, the flexibly collapsible bag of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at 10 for being self-stored in itself in two different places 12, 14 thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other apparel.

B. The Overall Configuration of the Flexibly Collapsible Bag 10

The flexibly collapsible bag 10 comprises a bag body 16, a flexible internal pouch 18, and a relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20. The flexible internal pouch 18 is attached internally to the bag body 16. The relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 is attached externally to the bag body 16. The bag body 16 is either foldably and compressibly stored in the flexible internal pouch 18 to form the first appearance or is foldably, compressibly, and rollably stored under the relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 to form the second appearance so as to allow for the better coordination with the other apparel.

The bag body 16 has a front wall 22, a rear wall 24, a pair of side walls 26, a closed bottom 28, and an open top 30 defined by the front wall 22 of the bag body 16, the rear wall 24 of the bag body 16, and the pair of side walls 26 of the bag body 16.

The flexibly collapsible bag 10 further comprises a pair of flexible handles 32. The pair of flexible handles 32 extend upwardly from the open top 30 of the bag body 16, at the front wall 22 of the bag body 16 and the rear wall 24 of the bag body 16, respectively.

C. The Specific Configuration of the Relatively Firm and Bendable External Pouch 20

The relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 is disposed externally on the front wall 22 of the bag body 16, preferably, centrally thereon, but not limited thereto.

The relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 comprises a relatively firm and bendable panel 34. The relatively firm and bendable panel 34 of the relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 is attached on three sides 36, 38, and 40 thereof externally to the front wall 22 of the bag body 16 to thereby form an open top 42 therefor, and is preferably, rectangular-shaped, but not limited thereto.

The relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 further comprises a strap 43. The strap 43 of the relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 extends upwardly from the relatively firm and bendable panel 34 of the relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20, and depends therefrom over itself to be releasably attached to the relatively firm and bendable panel 34 of the relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20.

D. The Specific Configuration of the Flexible Internal Pouch 18

The flexible internal pouch 18 is disposed internally on the rear wall 24 of the bag body 16, depends from the open top 30 of the bag body 16, and, preferably, laterally centered thereon, but not limited thereto.

The flexible internal pouch 18 is formed by a flexible front-facing panel 44 and a flexible rear-facing panel 46. The flexible front-facing panel 44 of the flexible internal pouch 18 attaches to the open top 30 of the bag body 16, at and freely depending from the rear wall 24 of the bag body 16, doubles back onto itself to form the flexible rear-facing panel 46 of the flexible internal pouch 18 that is free of the open top 30 of the bag body 16, and is attached at two sides 48 and 50 thereof to the flexible front facing panel 44 of the flexible internal pouch 18 to thereby form an open top 52 for the flexible internal pouch 18, and is preferably, rectangular-shaped, but not limited thereto.

The flexible internal pouch 18 further has a pair of mating hook and loop fastener portions 54 and 56. One portion of the hook and loop fasteners 54 is disposed externally on the flexible front-facing panel 44 of the flexible internal pouch 18, proximate to the open top 30 of the bag body 16, and the other portion of the hook and loop fasteners 56 is disposed externally on the flexible rear-facing panel 46 of the flexible internal pouch 18, proximate to the open top 30 of the bag body 16.

E. The Method of Utilizing the Flexible Internal Pouch 18 to Store the Bag Body 16

The method of utilizing the flexible internal pouch 18 to store the bag body 16 can best be seen in FIGS. 3-6, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view of the flexible internal pouch being turned inside-out, a diagrammatic perspective view of the bag being stuffed into the reversed flexible internal pouch, a diagrammatic perspective view of the bag being completely stuffed into the reversed flexible internal pouch, and a diagrammatic perspective view of the reversed flexible internal pouch fastened closed with the bag therein, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

-   STEP 1: As shown in FIG. 3, reverse the flexible internal pouch 18     by inserting the hands 58, 60 of a user 62 into the open top 52 of     the flexible internal pouch 18 and turning the flexible internal     pouch 18 inside out. -   STEP 2: As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, compress and stuff, using the     hands 58, 60 of a user 62, the bag body 16 into the flexible     internal pouch 18. -   STEP 3: As shown in FIG. 6, secure the pair of mating hook and loop     fastener portions 54 and 56 to each other thereby closing the open     top 52 of the flexible internal pouch 18 and storing the bag body 16     therein.

F. The Method of Utilizing the Relatively Firm and Bendable External Pouch 20 to Store the Bag Body 16

The method of utilizing the relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20 to store the bag body 16, can best be seen in FIGS. 7-10, which are, respectively, a diagrammatic perspective view of the strap released and the closed bottom of the bag and the handles folded onto the rear wall of the bag, a diagrammatic perspective view of the side walls of the bag folded onto the rear wall of the bag, a diagrammatic perspective view of the top portion folded so as to lie under the relatively firm and bendable external pouch, and a diagrammatic perspective view of the rolled bag with the strap re-engaged, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

-   STEP 1: As shown in FIG. 7, release the strap 43 of the relatively     firm and bendable external pouch 20. -   STEP 2: As further shown in FIG. 7, fold the closed bottom 28 of the     bag body 16 up onto the rear wall 24 of the bag body 16 so as to     form a lower portion 64 and an upper portion 66. -   STEP 3: As still further shown in FIG. 7, fold the pair of flexible     handles 32 down onto the upper portion 66. -   STEP 4: As shown in FIG. 8, fold the pair of side walls 26 of the     bag body 16 in onto the upper portion 66, the lower portion 64, and     the pair of flexible handles 32. -   STEP 5: As shown in FIG. 9, fold the upper portion 66 down onto the     pair of side walls 26 of the bag body 16 so as to lie under the     relatively firm and bendable panel 34 of the relatively firm and     bendable external pouch 20. -   STEP 6: As shown in FIG. 10, roll up the relatively firm and     bendable panel 34 of the relatively firm and bendable external pouch     20. -   STEP 7: As further shown in FIG. 10, re-engage the strap 43 of the     relatively firm and bendable external pouch 20.

G. The Impressions

It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in a flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other apparel, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention. 

1. A flexibly collapsible bag for being self-stored in itself in two different places thereof so as to form two different appearances so as to allow for better coordination with other apparel, comprising: a) a bag body; b) a flexible internal pouch; and c) a relatively firm and bendable external pouch; wherein said flexible internal pouch is attached internally to said bag body; wherein said relatively firm and bendable external pouch is attached externally to said bag body; and wherein said bag body is either foldably and compressibly stored in said flexible internal pouch to form said first appearance or is foldably, compressibly, and rollably stored under said relatively firm and bendable external pouch to form said second appearance so as to allow for the better coordination with the other apparel.
 2. The bag of claim 1, further comprising a pair of flexible handles.
 3. The bag of claim 2, wherein said bag body has a front wall; wherein said bag body has a rear wall; wherein said bag body has an open top; and wherein said pair of flexible handles extend upwardly from said open top of said bag body, at said front wall of said bag body and at said rear wall of said bag body, respectively.
 4. The bag of claim 1, wherein said bag body has a front wall; and wherein said relatively firm and bendable external pouch is disposed externally on said front wall of said bag body.
 5. The bag of claim 1, wherein said bag body has a rear wall; and wherein said flexible internal pouch is disposed internally on said rear wall of said bag body.
 6. The bag of claim 5, wherein said bag body has an open top; and wherein said flexible internal pouch depends freely from said open top of said bag body.
 7. The bag of claim 1, wherein said relatively firm and bendable external pouch comprises a relatively firm and bendable panel.
 8. The bag of claim 7, wherein said bag body has a front wall; and wherein said relatively firm and bendable panel of said relatively firm and bendable external pouch is attached on three sides thereof externally to said front wall of said bag body to thereby form an open top for said relatively firm and bendable external pouch.
 9. The bag of claim 1, wherein said bag body has an open top; wherein said bag body has a rear wall; wherein said flexible internal pouch is formed by a flexible front-facing panel; wherein said flexible internal pouch is formed by a flexible rear-facing panel; wherein said flexible front-facing panel of said flexible internal pouch attaches to said open top of said bag body, at and freely depending from said rear wall of said bag body, doubles back onto itself to form said flexible rear-facing panel of said flexible internal pouch that is free of said open top of said bag body; and wherein said flexible front-facing panel of said flexible internal pouch and said flexible rear-facing panel of said flexible internal pouch are attached to each other at two sides thereof to thereby form an open top for said flexible internal pouch.
 10. The bag of claim 9, wherein said flexible internal pouch has a pair of mating hook and loop fastener portions.
 11. The bag of claim 10, wherein one portion of said hook and loop fasteners is disposed externally on said flexible front-facing panel of said flexible internal pouch, proximate to said open top of said bag body; and wherein the other portion of said hook and loop fasteners is disposed externally on said flexible rear-facing panel of said flexible internal pouch, proximate to said open top of said bag body.
 12. The bag of claim 7, wherein said relatively firm and bendable external pouch comprises a strap.
 13. The bag of claim 12, wherein said strap of said relatively firm and bendable external pouch extends upwardly from said relatively firm and bendable panel of said relatively firm and bendable external pouch, and depends therefrom over itself to be releasably attached to said relatively firm and bendable panel of said relatively firm and bendable external pouch.
 14. A method of self-storing a flexibly collapsible bag in itself, wherein the bag has a flexible internal pouch with an open top, and wherein the bag has a relatively firm and bendable external pouch, said method comprising the step of determining if the flexibly collapsible bag is to be stored in the flexible internal pouch or under the relatively firm and bendable external pouch.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the bag has a bag body, and wherein the bag has a pair of mating hook and loop fastener portions, said method further comprising the steps of: a) determining that the flexibly collapsible bag is to be stored in the flexible internal pouch; b) reversing the flexible internal pouch by inserting the hands of a user into the open top of the flexible internal pouch and turning the flexible internal pouch inside out; c) compressing and stuffing, using the hands of a use, the bag body into the flexible internal pouch; and d) securing the pair of mating hook and loop fastener portions to each other thereby closing the open top of the flexible internal pouch and storing the bag body therein.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the relatively firm and bendable external pouch has a strap and a relatively firm and bendable panel, wherein the bag body has a closed bottom, a rear wall, and a pair of side walls, and wherein the bag has a pair of flexible handles, said method further comprising the steps of: a) determining that the flexibly collapsible bag is to be stored under the relatively firm and bendable external pouch; b) releasing the strap of the relatively firm and bendable external pouch; c) folding the closed bottom of the bag body up onto the rear wall of the bag body so as to form a lower portion and an upper portion; d) folding the pair of flexible handles down onto the upper portion; e) folding the pair of side walls of the bag body in onto the upper portion, the lower portion, and the pair of flexible handles; f) folding the upper portion down onto the pair of side walls of the bag body so as to lie under the relatively firm and bendable panel of the relatively firm and bendable external pouch; g) rolling up the relatively firm and bendable panel of the relatively firm and bendable external pouch; and h) re-engaging the strap of the relatively firm and bendable external pouch. 